Dobelle misused school's funds, lawsuit says

Former UH president Evan Dobelle resigned from Westfield State University in November

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a lawsuit against former Westfield State University President Evan S. Dobelle on Thursday, alleging that he improperly spent nearly $100,000 in university resources on personal expenses such as family trips to Cuba, meals at expensive restaurants and frequent visits to an exclusive men's club near San Francisco.

The lawsuit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges that Dobelle, also former president of the University of Hawaii, filed false reports to Westfield State to justify $59,000 in personal expenses and another $39,000 in personal travel. The suit says that Dobelle eventually repaid most of the money, but often months later. Under the state False Claims Act, Dobelle could be required to repay triple damages if Coakley prevails.

"We allege the former president of this university blatantly misused public funds for trips that were nothing but weeklong vacations with family and friends," Coakley said in a statement. "This pattern of inappropriately spending state funds is unacceptable, as leaders of public schools should be enforcing their policies instead of knowingly violating them for their own personal benefit."

Dobelle, who resigned in November after Globe reports on his extravagant spending, has insisted he did nothing wrong and that all of the expenditures were part of his effort to turn Westfield State into a world-class institution. He has filed a federal lawsuit against Westfield and state officials alleging that they conspired to push him out because he wanted to change the Springfield-area school from being a "diploma mill" for police officers.

Dobelle's lawyer, Ross Garber, accused Coakley of filing a one-sided lawsuit, noting that her staff did not speak to Dobelle himself.

"In court, however, both sides are heard, and decisions are based on evidence, not innuendo and conjecture," said Garber, who added that a federal judge has refused to dismiss Dobelle's lawsuit. "Dr. Dobelle looks forward to a full and fair airing of the truth and to reclaiming his reputation."

Coakley's action comes on the heels of a scathing report from state Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha last week charging that Dobelle improperly used hundreds of thousands of dollars from school accounts during his six-year tenure to pay for personal expenses as well as wasteful public expenses such as a celebrity speaker series and a portrait of himself.

"It's outrageous for the president of a university to engage in the kind of behavior the investigation uncovered," Cunha said last week, noting that Dobelle's wastefulness nearly bankrupted the university's private fundraising arm.

Coakley's office, which has been investigating Dobelle's spending practices since last fall, found that Dobelle made hundreds of personal purchases on university-related credit cards, sometimes charging thousands to the school in a single month.

While Dobelle repaid many of the expenses when they were brought to his attention, the lawsuit said the repayments were often months late and repaid using backdated checks to make the reimbursement seem timely.

Coakley alleges that Dobelle disguised the personal expenditures by filing false statements to the university regarding at least 16 trips that cost Westfield State more than $39,000.

The suit said Dobelle claimed to be attending conferences, raising money or doing other university business when he was primarily there on personal business.

In one case, a February 2012 trip to Cuba, Dobelle took along his wife and personal friends at a cost to the university of $3,640. Dobelle also charged the school for multiple personal trips to California to attend events at the Bohemian Grove, a private men's club in Monte Rio, of which he is a member, Coakley's office said.

Dobelle was allowed to resign as president of the UH system in 2004 after the Board of Regents unanimously voted to fire him amid charges of lavish spending, dishonesty and wasting university resources.

Dobelle threatened to sue for wrongful termination, and UH negotiated a settlement that included a $1.3 million payment to Dobelle and his attorneys to buy out the remainder of his contract.

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brb905wrote:

A zebra does not change their stripes. If any institution hires Dobelle again, they should have their heads examined. There is a high probability Dobelle did the same things at UH, so the question is why didn't UH and Hawaii go after him like Massachusetts?

on August 9,2014 | 03:28AM

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Mythmanwrote:

When Dr Dobelle was here he said Pinky Thompson was has "best friend". Code for I cannot be indicted. Dan Inouye it is said was responsible for Dr Dobelle's appointment. At the time Puck's Alley, and thereabouts, was up for development, owned by Kam Schools, connected to Pinky. Dr Dobelle's speciality was urban planning. Connect the dots. Also, no one connected to Kam Schools is ever indicted. Inouye controls the US Attorney and every state AG is connected one way or another to Kam Schools.

on August 9,2014 | 04:37AM

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Workingrlwrote:

Dobelle was president from 2001-2004.
Myron Pinky Thompson died in 2001

on August 9,2014 | 09:48AM

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bsbsbswrote:

There is a high probability Dobelle did the same things at UH; but Hawaii is a place where this kind of thing occurs regularly with Politicians, Political Appointees, Directors and other unchecked positions of power - it's run like a third world country and proud of it. Don't forget to vote the same folks back in today.

on August 9,2014 | 04:43AM

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808compwrote:

That's the way things happens here.The excuse is it may be cheaper to pay the guys off instead of going to court. They take the easy way out. Some how guys like Dobelle keeps getting those top jobs though.

on August 9,2014 | 04:51AM

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bullturdwrote:

No Guts! They were afraid of the Missionary. The UH still, is Gutless when it comes to firing it's past Presidents. Dumbbell will be lucky if he can even get a job teaching Pre-School. Of course I'm being facetious. If he's found Guilty, I hope he gets tossed in the slammer.

on August 9,2014 | 06:26AM

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Mythmanwrote:

Love the Federal False Claims Act. In Hawaii, no one who was put in place by Sen Inouye and is best friends with Pinky Thompson can do any wrong ergo no state legal actions or federal legal actions.

on August 9,2014 | 07:06AM

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joseph007wrote:

Why? Because the higher ups had connections to Dobelle and were getting funds and influence from him with contracts with UH. The whole thing here was as corrupt as in Massachusetts. Except there are more honest people in Mass and have taken him to court. He is corrupt and "we" knew it.

on August 9,2014 | 08:34AM

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Mythmanwrote:

radda datta ratta

on August 9,2014 | 04:06AM

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Mythmanwrote:

When Dr Dobelle was here he said Pinky Thompson was has "best friend". Code for I cannot be indicted. Dan Inouye it is said was responsible for Dr Dobelle's appointment. At the time Puck's Alley, and thereabouts, was up for development, owned by Kam Schools, connected to Pinky. Dr Dobelle's speciality was urban planning. Connect the dots. Also, no one connected to Kam Schools is ever indicted. Inouye controls the US Attorney and every state AG is connected one way or another to Kam Schools.

on August 9,2014 | 04:37AM

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Mythmanwrote:

When Dr Dobelle was here he said Pinky Thompson was has "best friend". Code for I cannot be indicted. Dan Inouye it is said was responsible for Dr Dobelle's appointment. At the time Puck's Alley, and thereabouts, was up for development, owned by Kam Schools, connected to Pinky. Dr Dobelle's speciality was urban planning. Connect the dots. Also, no one connected to Kam Schools is ever indicted. Inouye controls the US Attorney and every state AG is connected one way or another to Kam Schools.

on August 9,2014 | 04:09AM

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KekoaBradshawwrote:

Good for Massachusetts! They are going after Dobelle and not putting up with his "the best defense is an offense" strategy. Hawaii's attorney general and the UH Board of Regents should have done the same thing back in 2004. Instead, Dobelle was paid a fat settlement to "just go away". When Dobelle was appointed UH President, he had great political connections here because of his involvement in the Clinton administration. Is that why he was allowed to go back to Massachusetts without really being held accountable for his misdeeds here?

on August 9,2014 | 04:36AM

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tigerwarriorwrote:

Just wondering whether UH and City College of San Francisco can sue for damages retroactively--although they probably can't because of the statute of limitations on fraudulent transfers. When Dobelle was let go back in 2004, there were no regents left on the board who had selected him as president because of the high turnover rate for regents at the time--so perhaps the newly appointed regents did not feel overly responsible to hold Dobelle fully accountable. But then again, this university has a history of buying out the contracts of their administrative/highly paid staff. UH ended up paying millions of dollars including giving Dobelle a cash settlement of $1.6 million, a two-year research position, a life-time state pension, $2 million insurance policy as well as assuming the $1.2 million spent on legal fees and costs. For this very reason the Hawaii Supreme Court unanimously upheld a statewide referendum that would change the way regents on the board would be appointed. As far as being politically connected, back in September 17, 2008, U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi, who was then Speaker of the House was quoted as saying, "Over the past 22 years, evan Dobelle has undoubtedly been the finest college president in the United States--and you are lucky to have him at Westfield." It seems that university presidents are chosen more for their interviewing skills, political connections, personality traits etc., than for their administrative skills and visionary qualifications.

on August 9,2014 | 05:29AM

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Masamiwrote:

He may be a snake and it appears he did the same thing at Westfield State University that he did at UH, but he's no dummy and in his settlement with UH probably had a provision whereby no future legal action will occur.
Amazing these greedy individuals and amazing that Westfield hired him after the similar occurred at UH. Like a poster above said a zebra doesn't change its stripes.

on August 9,2014 | 08:08AM

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Mythmanwrote:

When Dr Dobelle was here he said Pinky Thompson was has "best friend". Code for I cannot be indicted. Dan Inouye it is said was responsible for Dr Dobelle's appointment. At the time Puck's Alley, and thereabouts, was up for development, owned by Kam Schools, connected to Pinky. Dr Dobelle's speciality was urban planning. Connect the dots. Also, no one connected to Kam Schools is ever indicted. Inouye controls the US Attorney and every state AG is connected one way or another to Kam Schools.

on August 9,2014 | 04:36AM

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Sandybeachwrote:

Massachusetts indicts while Hawaii pays him off 1.3 million. His evil ways should have been stopped by the Attorney General of Hawaii.

on August 9,2014 | 05:11AM

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Papakoleawrote:

Didn't they Google him before they hired him?

on August 9,2014 | 06:33AM

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cojefwrote:

Crying over spilled milk only gets the dander up. Forget and move on.

on August 9,2014 | 06:33AM

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KKawawrote:

Question readers: This goes beyond "lack of integrity." Does anyone know if there is a medical diagnosis? Serious question.

on August 9,2014 | 06:35AM

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Mythmanwrote:

"lack of integrity" ended with the demise of John Wayne movies.

on August 9,2014 | 07:09AM

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atilterwrote:

google john wayne!

on August 9,2014 | 07:23AM

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atilterwrote:

dobelle - he's one smooth operatah who will eventually get his come-uppance. one can be too smooth or wily for one's own good..

on August 9,2014 | 07:19AM

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tonosamawrote:

Question remain on who did the hiring at both Westfield State and UH. Due diligence necessary to avoid a con man's rhetoric.

on August 9,2014 | 07:36AM

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Dawgwrote:

Dobelle is no "dumbbell." He is a slick banana and will continue to live off the public trust as long as his attorney's get paid. No worries, he will get his due sooner or later. On earth or in hell.

on August 9,2014 | 08:22AM

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Mike174wrote:

So he got hired again... by another university? Hmmm, probably won't recommend that university to anyone. Typical bohemian club member actions. Only most steal billions.

on August 9,2014 | 09:03AM

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localguywrote:

If only the Nei had such a competent & aggressive Attorney General as they do. And if our news sources had better, more competent reporters who would go after someone versus saying, "Brah, what you do wrong" we might have done better against Dobelle. Hey, this could be his new retirement plan, three hots and a cot in prison.

on August 9,2014 | 09:16AM

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DAGR81wrote:

Massachusetts officials sue Dobelle for damages...Hawaii officials
reward him with him with $1.3 million...go figgah

on August 9,2014 | 09:25AM

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SueHwrote:

"Misused school funds"? Oh my, what a surprise!!

on August 9,2014 | 10:15AM

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alohabrinawrote:

why are you guys reporting all this stuff on Dobelle. What about all the
billions Obama is spending on vacations/friends/African countries/
and parties with movie stars and entertainers. I like to see this newspaper
expose all the facts about Obama and Michelle with her 26 or so assistants
including her brother!!!!

on August 9,2014 | 10:45AM

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aloha101wrote:

Seems like the so-called Dr. Dobelle has a pattern... looking for another $1 million dollar buyout???

on August 9,2014 | 10:57AM

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AFishOutofH20wrote:

Obviously, Dobby hasn't learned his lesson yet. He should be fined and jailed!!!!!!!!

on August 9,2014 | 12:33PM

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AFishOutofH20wrote:

Still a LOSER!!!!!!!!

on August 9,2014 | 12:37PM

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fstopwrote:

"Dr. Dobelle looks forward to a full and fair airing of the truth and to reclaiming his reputation."

The reputation he had in Hawaii? That one?

on August 9,2014 | 12:43PM

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Canefirewrote:

Wasn't there a search consultant and committee? Who were they and what ever became of them? Would be an interesting follow up article if the reporter can track them down and interview them now.